8 PLAYERS BANNED FROM THE NIGERIAN LEAGUE

While the dust is yet to settle on the one year ban placed on Shooting Stars striker, Gbolahan Salami, and Heartland goalkeeper, Akpan Bassey the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation yesterday wielded a big stick on eight other players in the National League. The players were all banned for a year.

Three of the players of are from Okpe United, while the others are from FC Abuja.

The players from Okpe United -- Etete Precious, Agbettor Emmanuel and goalkeeper, Eriose Tega -- were adjudged to be unruly in their home game against Prime FC of Oshogbo hence the committee ruled that the Oyo State team be awarded three goals and three points in line with the League rules and regulations.

The committee also upheld the Nigeria National League interim decision to banish Okpe United FC to Calabar for the rest of the season while also advising the Delta State FA to ensure adequate and effective security at match venues in the state at all times.

The other five players -- Austin Joseph, Auwalu Mohammed, Alex Lawrence, Agboyi Avoka and Gabriel Sunday -- were from FC Abuja. The club was also banished to Gusau, Zamfara State for the rest of the season and fined N200,000; for treatment of injured match officials and lost items.

Other decisions

In another case involving the Enyimba Feeders team and Akwa United, the committee upheld the Interim decision to banish Enyimba Feeders to Benin City in Edo State for the rest of the season. In addition, Akwa United FC was awarded three goals and three points. Enyimba Feeders were also fined N30, 000 for items lost and damaged in the match.

The committee also took similar decisions in the case involving Spotlight FC, Abuja and Ranchers Bees FC. Sportlight FC were banished from Abuja for the rest of the season and fined N30, 000 as cost of treatment for injured match officials.

The Team’s Secretary, Gaddafi Mohammed was also banned from football related activities in Nigeria for six months with immediate effect.

Friday Ekpo, a former Akwa United assistant coach praised the football federation for the hard stance it has taken to curb violence in the league. He expressed hope that the punishments meted out will serve as deterrent to others.

“We should not allow the league to be brought to disrepute by some individuals; football is a beautiful game and should be played that way,” he said